Best Public Schools in Ridgeland, MS

Ridgeland, Mississippi is served by four public schools in the Madison County Schools district, covering grades PK through 12 with a total enrollment of about 3,032 students: Ann E. Smith Elementary (PK-2), Highland Elementary School (3-5), Old Town Middle School (6-8), and Ridgeland High School (9-12). The district itself ranks strong statewide, but the Ridgeland schools present a mixed picture, and about three in four students across these schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty community.

Old Town Middle School is the clear academic standout. It achieved 100% proficiency on both Algebra I and Biology end-of-course exams, far exceeding district and state averages, and has the lowest student-teacher ratio at 11.8:1. Its state ranking improved to the 69th percentile, though regular grade-level tests are only near or slightly above state averages. In contrast, Ridgeland High School is the biggest concern: its chronic absenteeism rate is a striking 46.3%, more than double the district rate, and its graduation rate of 82.1% falls below both district and state figures. Test scores in Algebra I, English II, and Biology are below state averages. Highland Elementary School has the best attendance in the group at 16.0% chronic absenteeism but still posts low math proficiency, with just 38.4% of 4th graders proficient compared to 51.5% statewide.

Ridgeland's schools all face significant economic disadvantage, with free/reduced lunch rates between 71% and 79%. Ann E. Smith Elementary serves the youngest students and does not have test data, but its chronic absenteeism is healthy at 17.3%. Old Town Middle School's success in advanced courses shows promise, but the overall pipeline loses momentum by high school, largely due to absenteeism. For parents, this means early elementary grades look stable, middle school offers strong acceleration opportunities, and the high school needs the most attention. While the district overall ranks in the 85th percentile, Ridgeland's schools often sit near or below the state median, so it's important to look at each school individually rather than relying on the district's reputation.